PARADISE — Shirley Haley, 67, found her community with the Lennon Sisters.

Sisters Barbara Carlson, left and Shirley Haley perished in the Camp Fire in Paradise. (Contributed photo)

Haley, who spent part of her life in Ontario, in Southern California, discovered the vocal group on the Lawrence Welk show and would go and see them at Knott’s Berry Farm in the 1970s. Throughout her life, she collected photos and albums and went to concerts with a dedicated group of fans.

In 1996, she even traveled to Branson, Missouri, for a Lennon Sisters convention, remembered Judy Bjork, a friend who accompanied her on the trip. She was drawn to the band’s sound and their wholesomeness, Bjork said.

“That was kind of what she lived for, is being around them and other people,” said Bjork. “She was just very sweet and innocent. We’ll always remember her for her laugh.”

Haley worked in a nursing home before moving to Paradise in the 1990s to take care of her aging parents. Eventually, when they died, her sister, Barbara Carlson, came to live with her. Several of Carlson’s grandchildren partly grew up in the home.

Carlson and Haley both died in their home in Paradise during the fire.

When Shirley faced troubles, she found comfort in religion. A Pentecostal Christian, she trusted she would get a sign from God showing her the way forward, said Glenn Dimopoulos, her grandnephew who lived in Paradise for a few years. She spent most of her time at home looking over the neighborhood.

Haley never married or had children. She is survived by nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and -nephews.